US469967A - Method of and apparatus for rating watch-balances - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet i1.

G. E. EMERY. METHOD OF AND APPARATUSYPOR RATING WATCH BALANCES.

No. 469,967. Patented Mar; ,1, 1892;

un mil M (No Model.) 2 Shjeets'Sheet 2.

O. E, EMERY. METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR RATING WATCH BALANCES.

No. 469,967. Patented Mar. 1, 1892.

UNITED STATES ArnNT Fr es,

CHARLES E. EMERY, OF BROOKLYN, NEWV YORK.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR RATING WATCH-BALANCES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 469,967, dated March 1, 1892.

Application filed April 10,1891. Serial No. 388,414- (No model.)

a method and apparatus for determining the rate of a watch or of a watch-balance with accuracy by observations at the beginning and end of short intervals. It is known that balances and hair-springs have been adapted to each other by ascertaining the number of vibrations of the same in a time fixed by a stopping device in a standard movement and that corresponding apparatus has been made more delicate by causing the standard to make a very large number of vibrations in a second and stopping it with a movement carrying the-balance and spring to-be tested. All such devices fail in absolute accuracy, from the fact that a stop-motion on a train can only act after a given number of full beats ofthe balance, and even then is not sufficiently delicate, for the reason thatit is operated by parts moving at a comparatively slow velocity.

In a previous application, Serial No. 350,256, I have shown means by which the balance of a watch can be optically compared with a standard-balance or equivalent hile in motion at its highest velocity. This secures accuracy, on the principle that the balance which controls the accuracy of the time-piece as a whole should during each beat reach a given position at a time corresponding to its rate for a longer interval.

It is provided in this specification to causethe standard to actually stop the balance to be tested near mid-movement after a beat or two and again after an interval of a minute or more,when the change in the angular position of a point on the balance will indicate the change in rate. In a modification of the apparatus a disk or index ,carried by the standard is similarly stopped by the-balance to be tested, and in still another modification the positions of the latter and of the standard are compared by means of a chronograph.

The general features of operation may be specifically understood by a brief description Without the aid of drawings. Oonfining such description to a balance making five beats per second and considering for simplicity that the motion of the balance for each beat is through a full circle of'three hundred and sixty degrees, it is evident that the balance stops and reverses its direction at the end of an arc of three hundred and sixty degrees every one-fifth ot' a second.

In one modification of the invention it is proposed to detain the balance at the end of the are above mentioned, or one hundred and eighty degrees from mid-position, by a catch operated by an electro-magnet to release the balance one-tenth of a second before the even second. The circuit of such electro-magnet is to be closed by a standard clock or equivalent at the proper time, and the same clock about one-tenth of a second after is to close another electric circuit to energize another magnet, which operates a clamp or grip and stops the alance at or near the time it is moving at its highest velocity. The actual angular position of the point of reference on the balance can then be read from a stationary scale on the movement, the balance be again caught by the electro-magnet first named at the extreme end of its movement, released, as before, about one-tenth of a second before the even second, and the balance be allowed to run for one or more minutes and then stopped, as before, on the even second by the clock, electro-inagnet, and grip mentioned, when the change in the angle of the balance from that determined on the first observation Will give a correct indication of the rate ofthe watch, whether fast or slow, with sufficient accuracy to determine the approximate rate for twenty-four hours.

In a second modification of the invention a standard-balance and one to be tested are to be erected near each other, both started together electrically in the same way as described above, and adisk carried by the standard stopped at a prearranged time by the balance to be tested, when the difference in the position of the disk, if stopped after one or two beats and if stopped after one or two minutes, will, as before, indicate the rate of the balance under observation.

In a third modification of the invention the motion of the balance to be tested operates the stylus or pencil of a chronograph, making a record for comparison with a corresponding record derived from a standard clock or equivalent.

The several modifications embody the same principle of operation and have various details in common, though each embodies some distinctive features in mechanism. The apparatus for receiving a Watch-movement, when undergoing test as above stated, is termed a comparator.

In the drawings, Figure-1 shows a plan view of a comparator arranged for operation in accordance with the first modification above stated. Fig. 2 is a side view, and Fig. 3 is a front view ofthe same. Fig. 4 isa front view of a pendulum, and embodies a diagram view of electrical apparatus for connecting the pendulum as a standard with the magnets shown in the other views, particularly Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a side View of the pendulum and of the vibrating circuit-breaker operated thereby. Fig. 5 is a diagram plan view of a bal-.

ance to be tested and of a standard-balance carrying a recording-disk, showing also the distinctive mechanism necessary for operation in accordance with the second modification above referred to. Fig. dis a diagram elevation of the same balances and disk. Fig. 7 is a diagram plan view of a balance to be tested and of the cylinder of a chronograph and shows the distinctive details required for operation in accordance with the third modification above referred to. Fig. Sis a diagram view of an adaptation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 6, so that the chronograph may be in one room and the watch-movement in another room or compartment and kept at a regulated temperature, if desired, as in rating watches for temperature. Fig. 9 is a side view of an armature-lever the end of which corresponds to the slide T, Fig. 5.

The necessary details of operation in ac cordance with the'first modification above stated are shown complete in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, with the exception of certain common devices well known to experts, such as adjusting-screws for retracting-springs and at the ends of the cone-journals of the armature-levers and like details which have no bearing on the invention itself. Forconvenience the comparator is made with an L- shaped frame consisting of the base A and back B. Protruding horizontally from the latter is a shelf 0, which receives the tool D, adapted to receive a watch-movement E and to bring by means of proper dowel-pins and guides (not shown) any one of a number of such movements exactly to the same position on the shelf 0. The balance is designated w. The catch fordetaining one of the screws of the balance when the hair-spring of the latter is partially wound up-sayone-half turn, as previously referred tois designated a and is attached to the upper part of an armature-lever b, properly pivoted to bearings at the bottom and carrying an armature c in proper position in relation to the poles of a horseshoe electro-magnet F F.

K is a clamp for stopping the balance. Its two parts are jointed together atd and cross each other like the two blades of a pair of shears, and the outer ends are made to receive a coiled springe under tension and tending to close the points of the clamps together at the left. The position of the movement and the elevation of the clamps is so adjusted one in relation to the other that the points of the clamps normally stand just clear above and below the rim of the balance, being held open by pinsff insidexthe jaws of the clamp bearing on a stop g, carried by the-upperend of an armature-lever G, to which is attached an armature I, properly arranged in relation to a horseshoe electro-magnet H. To provide for any necessary adjustmentof the clamp vertically in relation to the balance, a slide J runs in a dovetailed groove formed between ribs on the back B of the frame and carries an arm L, projecting toward the front, which is providedat the left with lugs to receive the cone-bearings of the armature-lever G and at the right with the rigid arm M, which supports the electro-magnet H through the rear iron barcorresponding to and opposite the armature. An extension h of the support M carries the bearing (1 of the clamp K, and as the jaws of the-clamp are held apart and supported by the stud 'g it is evident that the whole magnet with the armature-clamp and its supports may be moved up and down with the sliding piece J r by operating a suitable screw i. When the electro-magnetI-I is energized andattracts its armature I, thereby moving the armature-lever G, the study is pulled from between the stops f f on the arms of the clamp K, and by the action of the spring 5 the clamp-arms close from above and below upon the rim of the balance and stop its motion. The points of the clamps may have leather secured to the sameto avoid injuring the polish, and by properly arranging the weight of the clamp-arms, the adj ustment of the clamp in relation to the balance, and the strength of the spring 6 the balance may be clamped and stopped suddenly without injury to itself or its pivots, since the upward and down ward pressures are the same and there is no tendency to throw the balance out of line.

The support It carries at its top a small spring-catch j, provided at its left-hand end with a hook to engage with a corresponding hook-shaped projection on the top of the armature-lever G when the same is drawn to the right by the action of the electro-magnet. In Fig. 2 7c is a similar spring for detaining the armature-lever b when drawntoward the maga: between washers upon a screw passing through the projecting arm L and carrying net F F. The-latter magnet is supported by an arm N, attached to the base A of the frame. One terminal of the electro-magnet H H is at at its other end a spring m, the whole supported by but insulated (by a sleeve and washers) from the projecting arm L. The end of the spring m. carries a contact-point arranged to press against a similar point on the projection 12, carried by the armature-lever G at all times, except when the armature I' is drawn close to the magnet H H, and is detainedby the spring-catch j. terminal-of the. magnetF F is at 0, and a screw and washers similar to those at or are supported in the standard N. A light arm 19,

held by such screw, carries at its outer end a contact-point, which presses against a similar point on a spring q, carried by the armaturelever I), such spring to be adjusted so that the points are electrically-in contact, exceptwhenthe'armature c is drawn. close to the electromagnet F' F' and detained by the spring is.

Figs. 4 and 4* represent the pendulum of a regulator, provided with an electric-circuit.

allel to the plane of motion of the pendulum) as the pendulum. swings to and fro passes through contact-points s and 25, consisting of globules of mercury standing on the tops of two stationary small vessels, which latter arev to be provided'with adjusting-screws (not.

shown) to force-the mercury above the top of each vessel in globular form, with which, as stated, the wire r will come in contact and in turn close and open two independent electric circuits. a V

The two magnets F F and H H are severally electrically connected through switches 'P and O with batteries u and u and contactpoints's and t. In-connection with the latter the point r on the pendulum opens and closes a separate electric circuit for each magnet The returns or ground of both magnets pass in common through the pendulum, a special break-and-make apparatus 1; 0' v and a switch Q, from which they are again separated, to the" terminals 0' and m of the two magnets. The current from 0 passes along the piece p, the spring g, from thence, preferably by an insulated wire, down the lever and to the coils of the magnet F F, and from -tery u, and contact-point t.

The vessel carrying contact-point s is so set that point 1", will come in contact with it about one-tenth of a second before the pen- Similarly one dulum reaches mid-position in moving from left to right, and the vessel carrying contactpo'int t is so set that point 0' will touch it when pendulum passes mid-position. For reasons explained hereinafter it is desirable to cutoff the current through point '1", except when point 7 passes points 3 and t in moving from left to right. This can be accomplished by a circuit-breaker operated by the pendulum arranged to close the circuit after point 4" passes point 3 when moving to the left and to open it after point 1' passes point t in moving to the right, In thedrawings, r is a fork with a wide opening, which fork is to be pivoted to a st-ationarybar in front of the pendulum, preferably a little to the left, and provided with a tumbling ball 61, arranged to fall either side of the center. A pin 62 in the rod strikes first one jaw of the fork and then the other as the pendulum swings, thereby leaving a bent arm 1), connected with the fork, down after the pendulum is swung to the left, so that its point dips in the mercury in a vessel i connected to return-switch Q, and the fork 12 being electrically connected to the pendulum-rod the circuit is complete to the point a" on such rod. As the pendulum swings to the right the connection v is lifted out of the mercury in vessel '0 and the return-circuit broken. The fork is so proportionedthat the connection o is not so lifted until the pendulum passes mid position when moving to the right, and so that the connection 0) will not be returned to the vessel 11 until after the pendulum has of contact with point 8.

The operation outlined hereinbefore is with the particular apparatus described as follows: If a hair-spring is to be tested, it is attached to a standard-balance. If a balance is to be tested, it is attached to a standard hairspring and the two placed in a movement or support E, arranged in a suitable chuckD on' shelf C. Said movement E may be a full watch-movement for regular use as such or itmay be a tool to receive a balance and hair-spring and may or maynot be provided with the escapement, gearing, and mainspring required to maintain the motion of the balance continuously. In putting in the movement the clamp K is necessarily open, as shown in Fig. 3, and should be adjusted vertically'by screw'z' until the jaws of the clamp are equally distant from the rim of the balance. It is supposed that the collet is turned on the balance, so that the latter is in mid-position and hair-spring not strained when one balance-screw is in the position shown lying against the stop a The hairspringis then to be partially wound or strained by moving the balance at the top half aturn to the right, and the opposite screw is caught by the catch a. his evidently not neces ,moved so far to theleft that the point r is out p IIO sary that the hair-spring be wound exactlya half-turn; but it should be wound the same each time-of starting. The pendulum, Fig. 5, being in operation, if the three switches 1 Q, are closed the first movement of the pendulum from left to right thereafter will, through point 8, in manner stated, close the circuit through the coils of electro-magnet F F,which will draw back the catch a,therebyreleasing the balance, which will confmence to vibrate. The armature c is retained by the springcatch 7a after its circuit is opened by the con- I tinned motion ofthe pendulum. Aboutonetenth of a second afterward the circuit is 1 closed through the pointt, when the magnet H H, in manner described, releases the clamp K, which stops the balance .at or about the middle of its movement, and any variationj from this may be seen by the position of a side screw in relation to the scale 71: at the left. As in the other case, the armature I is; retained by the spring-catch j after the circuit is opened by the continnedmotion of the; pendulum. After the observation the switch Q should be opened and the catch j released,,; when by pressing together the ends 10f the; clamp K at the right the armature will ,re-[

turn to the left by the actionof the retracting-spring J and the clamp be .held lopen z thereby leaving the balance free. Thearmature-lever I) should then be released by lift-,

. ing spring-catch 7c, the hair-spring be again! wound up one-half turn, the opposite screw}; caught upon the catch a ,t,he, switchiO ppenedl and Q closed, when the pendulum atitsnext: heat will again release the balance in the manner previously stated; but theclan pwilh not be released until switchO is closed,-which should be done after a sufficient interval has; elapsed to determine therate say oneor two; minutes. VVhen' switch 0 is closed,rthe clamp will be operated the next timethependuluml moves from left to right, when thepositionofi the balance-screw on the scale Z0 will showl whether the balance for thatintervalhas run fast or slow. If such screw-be :nearer point-l a than on the first trial, ithasfallen behind in running from right to left at the top; and' the balance is behind, and it it be .neareri point a ithas run ahead and corrections-may; be made accordingly.

It is realized that a definite time may elapse; after the circuit is closed attbefore the mag-j net H will be energized, the clamp closedy and the balance stopped; but this .intervall should be the same for each observatiomsoj that if the point .3 be adjusted to or from] 25, so that the balance for theshort trial is} stopped nearly in mid-position, the slightde partnre from that shown on the preliminary trial may be allowed ,for in considering the} position on scale 7c after the longeritllial. It; will be observed that the arrangement insnresi that the balance is always movinginthe same; direction when stopped and the pendulnml-isi always moving in the same directionwhenitg closes the circuit, so that errors in adj ustmenti in relation to the mid-position of .eitherkdo not affectthe result. Theprovisionth at%th.e circuit of the two magnets H HandiFjF be broken by springs m and q, res pectivel-y, is

not essential to the operation, but merely reliovos the ba rso that r heyare a ways at standard strength and ready to act as promptly at one timeas another. The .9 Of keys with retracting-springs in place .of the switches O P Q will toagreat extentaccom- ,plish the same purpose when the terminals 0 and w maybe on themagnetsthfimfielves. In such case switches P andQ should berclosed insta i g an expe men andswitches Qans Qi st pp it t l however, he found convenient to at least stop ,theexperiment by a time-movement, in which case switches Q and Q must be closedand the circuit from switch 0 again broken i a ti e m vemehtwfpr instance, at switch Randthe movement/arranged to close it again atlthe desireilri ime. If desired, there willbeno difficultyiinarranging such a mo ement so thatwithis w tch Qnlosed the line throughswitchP wqllldrfirst be closed tostart the balan e undergoing tes an that throu hswitoh O closedl d finite .tim e te ward ;to stop thebalance .forinspection. Evidently a watch or mari e movementith balance may be used to give the time-signalsin- .stea o a clock- Sqi' o, e mag e H may be arrange torcloso t e e amp. withnntdespending .upon springe'. Again, either ma net F F or 1-1 H may close a legal circuit athro g s oilsas its armature :mcvoseoas to hold the latter toward the magnet-when the clock opens.theeircuitandisprings j k be dispensed with, when it will sirn'ply be necessary vto open thelocal circuit.to;permitarmature to retract.

In Fig. 5, showinglthe distinctiverieatures of thesecond modification refers-ad toihereinbefore, w is ,the' balance :to be tested, and z a standard-balance, upon the stalfiof which is carried-alight disk a. driven .by ;1ight;fri ction ,on the staif and carrying a needle 0,1 pointer .2 The bridgesstfppdrting thetsmhda d ba an e is madeo ith.snificientio erha g mp the eed e to-vihrate clear- The pe iphery of t e isk z isrprovidediwithratohet-teeth. Asmall leverSois ipivoted'tfl apiece cap b e o .m otionrto and .f omthehalance- The lever S is provided at the lefuwitha belle ankarm or an i cline 12 endt so a ranged that it will be struck byoneof the screws of the balance a little longer than the others -m' by a pin in the balance-arm, asshownat13 in Fig. The ight endof thelove ismadein -th,6fO fIIl of a detentli -to catch in theteeth .of the disk 2:. Ordinarily the piece T js moved back to t epos icn of thedntted lineatca rying with it the lever S, so that its en s do ,not engage with thebalance w'ondisk z. T he p e e maybe a sli ero as wil general y .be JIIQ C Q lQIIt, or theend o ianarn aturedeverTflassho-wn in. g--. ,-wh .ch.sho.u1d hepi ot daat tho-bo tom, l k the armat reeve b, Fig- There .isatcatch a .for eac ba an e to be operate by the sainekmagne and as in ,theothercaseeaeh hair-spring is 11101116 wound -up One-half mm from .left to rightat thetop and thebalances detained by the catches. In this case the long screw or p1n,1n the balance-arm for operating left-hand end of lever S will be one hundred and eighty degrees from the inclined surface 12 on such lever. Both balances being started together about one-tenth of a second before the pendulum 1 s 1n mid-position, as in the other case, the sliding piece T is to be moved toward the balances about one-tenth of a second'before the even second at which it is desired to stop the experiment, when the long screw or pin in the balance Will strike the incline 12, throw out that end of the lever S, and throw the detent 14 at the right in the teeth of the disk 5, thereby stopping such disk, and the needle 2' W111 give a certain indication on a scale 2 The needle .2 would of course be adjusted in relation to the balance 2 after each stop, and by observing its position on a stationary scale after a short run, and again after a longer one, the rate of the balance with reference to the standard may evidently be determined on the same princi plesas before stated. Itis proposed to make the sliding piece T the top of the armature-lever of an electric magnet, which will be operated bya circuit closed at point 3 by the pendulum, but independent of the circuit of the magnet operating the catches a. Each of the circuits is to be provided with a separate switch, when evidently'the balances will be started by closing the circuit on the magnetoperating stops act, and the circuit of the magnet-operating slide T can either be closed at the same time, when the stop would be made one-tenth of a second after,or a certain number of minutes afterward, as desired. The lever'S is shown made with a short arm 50, which is held against a stop bya small spring, shown below the right-hand arm of the lever. When lever S is moved,the short arm 50 may be arranged to come in contact with a pointy and thereby close an electric circuit oper-- ating in the manner described in relation to the previous figures to close a clamp K to grasp the disk to and supplement the action of the catch upon the ratchet on its edge; The sliding piece T may be moved toward the balances by the direct action of a-time-movement controlled, for instance, by the standard-balance, the mechanism used being substantially the same as is familiar in various stop devices for watches. Evidently, also,a clamp K may be provided for each of the balances w and Z, and the same be operated by the same magnet, when the balances being started together, as described, the change in angle indicated,

when stopped together, will show the difi'er I ing on the cylinder U of a chronograph. It is understood that the surface of the cylinder will be moving rapidly-for, instance, from right to 1eft+and that another pencil or stylus 16, bearingthereon, would by an electro-magnet be operated bya circuit from a point t of the clock at the even second, thereby making a V-shaped diversion in the line marked on the chronograph-cylinder. If the balance 10 be started one-tenth of a second before the even second and slide T operated to bring lever S toward the balance, the mark made by the stylus 15 will be nearly opposite that made by the stylus 16 and the variation can be noted. If, however, the interval between the starting of the ba'lance'and the operation of the lever S be increased,'the divergence of the two V- shaped marks on the chronograph-cylinder will show whether the balance being tested is fast or slow, and the amount of the variation can be determined by the distance between consecutive diversions made by the stylus '16, if permitted to operate every second. As is common in chronographs, the lines made by each stylus on its surface may be in spiral lines, if desired. Ordinarily the chronograph-cylinder may be stopped for the greater portion of the time between observations, so long as its average velocity is known, and only started a sufficient time beforean observation to enable it to obtain normal speed.

A counter or register of any kind showing the distance it has moved is considered the equivalent of a chronograph when arranged to give an indication of the time it is started and stopped. For instance, if sucha counter be started at zero when the balance is started and then run uniformly a certain number of units per second until it is stopped by the operation of the balance through the lever S, &c., the number of units shown by the counter will furnish a basis of calculating the rate of the balance.

By the use of the chronograph or equivalent a modification of the apparatus shown in Figs. 5 and 7 is available for rating a watch movement at a distance from the comparatorfor instance, when placed in a compartment under regulated temperature. This only requires that a lever like S, Fig. 5, be mounted with a watch-movement and apparatus provided .to move it toward the balance after a proper interval has elapsed and when the balance is vibrating in the prearranged direction. Very many modifications of stopmotions may beuserl for this purpose, of which one adaptation is shownin Fig. 8. It is supposed that the balance it) to be tested regulates a watch-movement and that operated by such movement is an arbor 2, turning at the top from left to right in a definite number of seconds. An extra train is to be ally, butin different longitudinal positions. The arbor 2 is to be cuthalf through from opposite sides in the different longitudinal planes occupied by the arms of thefiy 5 and each of said arms arranged to pass in turn through one of the cuts." The effect then is that every time the arbor 2 makes half a turn the fiy-shat't makes half a turn, and the parts should be so proportioned that for each of such movementsa pin 4 will press the outer incline 7 on leverS and pass by, so that the inner incline 8 will come in contact with the pin .9 or any, prearranged projection on the balance and the opposite end 19 of the lever be thrown in contact with an electric conducting-point 6, and close a local electric circuit operating through an electro-magnet a stylus 10 on a chronograph-cylinder 11 in the observing-room at any desired distance. The lever S has upon it a projecting arm 17, upon the end of which bears the V end-of the spring 18, so arranged that when the lever is moved by the balance 703 the V end of spring in sliding off the end of lever 17 completes the movement and insures closing the electrio circuit out and also throws the V point- 8 clear of the balance. When, however, the left end of the lever S is moved toward the balance by a pin 4:, the spring 18 rides upon a fiat piece at the end of lever 17 and merely holds it by friction. It is evident that in either of the cases mentioned the inclined ends of the levers S S S may be'so adjusted in relation to the long screw or operating pin on the balance that the motion of the balance in throwing the lever will merely be slightly checked instead of being entirely stopped.

In the modification shown in Fig. 8 it is intended that the adjustment beas last above 1 those made by another stylus indicating standard time will show the rate of the movement undergoing test.

Another modification practically equivalent to that firsfabove referred to may be exlaiiied in connection with Figs.5 and 6. In such case the standard-balance z and lever S are to be omitted and the diskz is to be retained, as well as a needle corresponding to z*; but, as shown by dotted line 31, this needle is to be madelongerand preferably placed sufficintly below the disk to permit a clamp K to operate upon such disk, the needle 31 to be normally just below apin 30 on the balance to, Fig. 6, and in plan, as shown in Fig. 5, the spindle of the disk 2 to be extended down and so arranged that it may be lifted by the electro-magnet 32 through the armature-lever shown. When so lifted, the

needle will be struck by pin 30 as balance w vibrates. The needle 31 and disk :2 may be fastened to the same hub or elastically connected by a coiled spring. If, then, thehairspring of balance to be wound at the top from left to'right and caught with pin 30 at the left, or, say, one hundred and eighty .degrees from its mid-position, and arm 31 be in the position shown in Fig. 5, if the disk 2 and needle 3 1 be raised by magnet 32 less than one-fifth-say one-tenth0f .a second before the even second and the balance .be released, more accurately,one-tenth of a second before the even second-both, say, by separate currents through electric contact-point s in Fig. 4, as beforethe pin 30 on balance will strike the arm 31 and carry it with it, when ifatthe even second the disk 2 be suddenly clamped, as described in relation to the balance, 1, the balance to will be checked by the spring of arm 31, and when the pin 30 in balance runs by the end or is otherwise carried back freeof the needle 31 the latter will resume its normal position in relation to the disk 5 and indicate on a stationaryscale the relative position of the balance w at the even second,

and similar tests made for long andshont intervals show the rate of the balance,as bcfore.

The comparator when constructed according to either of the modifications stated .would have all its parts for the same location mounted on one frame, as in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. which evidently may as a whole be inclosed. in a case with glass sides and connected teapparatus for circulating air under regulated temperature, the same as the comparators described in the application previously referred to and in this way the rate ofa watch-movement be tested at different temperatures. So, also, as in the previous application, by simply clamping all parts fast the comparator as a whole, with the movement, may be placed in different positions, so as to test the rate of the movement for position. i

It will be observed in all the modifications, first, that the angular position .of the balance itself is indicated relativeiyto standard time either by stopping the balancenndergoing test or another started in connection therewith or by indicating its position in .relation to another balance, a chronograph, or an indicator; second, means are provided fro start the balance undergoing test in definite relation tothe beat of the standard time-piece, so that the stop or indication will bemade at or near the time the balance .undergoingtest is moving at maximum velocity; third, the general effect of this method of operation, carried out substantially like either of the different modifications, is that the indication from which the difference in rate is determined is derived by dividing the time required for a single beat of thebalance as distinguishedfrom that class of apparatus in which it is provided simply to ascertain the number of beats ina given number of minutes. The balance itself moves through so many degrees in a single beat that the efiect Iou of dividing the large angle of motion is to secure very accurate results during comparatively short intervals.

hat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

'1. The method of rating watch-balances, which consists in starting the balance from a definite position at a definite time by an initial impulse derived from a standard time piece and in stopping the balance or otherwise mechanically indicating its position after a definite interval by an initial impulse, also derived from a standard time-piece, and deducing the rate of the balance from its angular position at the end of a definite interval, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. The method of rating Watch-balances, which consists in starting the balance from a definite position at a definite time by an ititial impulse derived from a standard timepiece and in stopping the balance or otherwise mechanically indicating its position after a definite interval by an initial impulse, also derived from a standard time-piece, and deducing therate of the balance from the difference in its angular position at the end of definite intervals of unequal length, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

3. In combination with a standard timepiece provided with a circuit make-and-break apparatus and in combination with a balance to be rated and With suitable apparatus for indicating the position of the balance after a definite time, a catch .to hold said balance when the hair-spring is wound to a definite extent, and suitable mechanism for operating such catch at a definite time by an impulse initiated by a standard time-piece, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

4. In apparatus for rating a balance, provided with means for indicating the position of the balance at a definite time, means for starting such balance from a definite position at a definite time, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

5. In combination with a standard timepiece provided with a circuit make-and-break apparatus and in combination with a balance to be rated and apparatus to start such balance at a definite time, a clamp to stop such balance, and means to secu e the operation of such clamp at a definite time relative to the beat of the standard time-piece by an initial movement derived from such time-piece, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

6. In apparatus for rating a balance, provided with a device for stopping the same, an electro-magnet for operating such device energized at a definite time by an electric current from a standard timepiece, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

7. In combination with a standard timepiece provided with a circuit make-and-break apparatus and in combination with a balance to be rated and with apparatus to start the balance from a definite position at a definite time by an initial impulse derived from such time-piece, suitable apparatus for mechanically indicating the position of the balance after a definite interval in relation to the beat ofthe standard timepiece, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

8. In apparatus for rating a balance, a clamp to stop the balance without injury, consisting, essentially, of two substantially similar jawsv with devices for closing the same operating equally and symmetrically on each jaw, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

' 9. In apparatus for rating watches by stopping the balance, a clamp with substantially symmetrical arms, a retracting-spring acting equally on each, and stops to hold the jaws apart, in combination with a removable stop for permitting the jaws to approach underthe action of the spring, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

10. In combination with a tool designed to hold a watch-balance where it may be vibrated in a definite position and with a clamp for gripping such balance, devices for adjusting the jaws of the clamp in relation to the balance, so that the latter will ordinarily r'un entirely free and the clamp when released be free .to grip the balance in any position without straining the same, .substantially as and for the purposes specified.

11. In apparatus for comparing balances and in combination therewith and with a standard time-piece and suitable connections, two electric contact-points so arranged that an electric circuit will be made in each supcessively at definite intervals, one to put iii operation means to start the balance, the other to put in operation means to indicate its position, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

12. In combination with an apparatus for rating balances, a standard time-piece provided with double electrical contact-points and suitable electric make-and-break apparatus operated automatically by the timepiece, whereby two impulses Will be sent outat definite intervals in relation each to the other and in definite order in relation to the even second,substantially as and for the purposes specified.

13. In apparatus for rating a balance, provided with an electro-magnet for operating apparatus for releasing or stopping the balance by current derived from a circuit makeand-break attachment to a time piece, a spring-catch for holding the armature in po sition at will after the circuit is again opened

Images